Amrish Puri’s untold love story with wife Urmila Puri - Here’s the unknown ‘green flag’ side of Bollywood’s iconic villain

One of Bollywood’s most iconic actors, Amrish Puri, was an on-screen villain who had a polar opposite character off the screen.
Amrish Puri led a life filled with immense love and devotion. His love story is often overlooked in the face of his cinematic legacy that wonderfully showcases the timeless connection that he shared with his wife Urmila Puri.
The duo met each other when Amrish was still a budding actor in the theatre world of Delhi. Their meeting wasn’t something you would call a dramatic romance; instead, it was a quiet connection that blossomed more over time.
In a conversation with Peeping Moon, Amrish Puri’s grandson Vardhan Puri made some candid confessions about his grandfather’s love life. He spoke about their first meeting, the love that defied all odds. "Dadu (grandfather) met dadi (grandmother) at an insurance company where Dadu used to work as a clerk. They fell in love with each other soon after. But like every love story, even this one had a twist. Dadi was South Indian and dadu was Punjabi and when their families got to know about their liking for each other, they did not like it and were against their marriage. But soon dadi and dadu convinced their family members and got married with their blessings."
Amrish who was already passionate about acting found support in Urmila. She understood his ambitions and his career goals. They married in the 1950s and their relationship was built on mutual respect, companionship, and a shared love for the arts.
Urmila who was a teacher by profession, was the ocean to Amrish’s droplet. Urmila was always there with him while he faced many struggles in his early acting career, including long years of waiting for his big break, offering both emotional and practical support. This sense of partnership was pivotal for Amrish, who always credited his wife for being his pillar of strength and supporting him in every sense.
Amrish Puri used to say - ‘Mai hero banu ya na banu lekin iss ghar ki hero toh meri biwi hi hai,' shared his grandson.
Then finally when things started to fall at the right place, Amrish Puri was able to carve his niche. Despite his rising fame, especially in the 1980s and 1990s when he became a household name for his villainous roles in films like ‘Mr. India,’ ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge,’ and ‘Karan Arjun,’ Amrish’s devotion to Urmila remained unshakeable.
He was always a family man at heart, someone who cherished the quieter moments of life, away from the problems of the film industry. Their love was marked by simplicity and authenticity with Amrish often cherising his wife's efforts and as the person who grounded him amidst the chaos of his professional life.
However, their relationship was not without its share of challenges. Fortunately, the couple’s love only grew stronger with time, as Amrish always respected his wife and his fame never overshadowed the deep bond they shared. He was always vocal about his gratitude for Urmila, who managed their home and family life with grace and humility.
Amrish Puri’s love story is a testament to the idea that true love doesn’t always seek the spotlight. It thrives in the subtle moments, it doesn't always need to be very fancy, in the shared silence and in the unwavering support that partners offer each other, no matter how high or low the stakes of life may be.